Tom Maston

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Dwight Yorke & Andy Cole (Manchester United)

First brought together early in the 1998-99 season, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole combined to devastating effect as Manchester United won the treble under Sir Alex Ferguson, albeit with their back-ups – Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – sealing the deal in the Champions League final.

Cole and Yorke started 36 matches together in that campaign, with the Red Devils losing on just one occasion. Between them, they scored 53 goals in all competitions and followed that up with 46 in the next campaign.

Fernando Morientes & Raul (Real Madrid & Spain)

During a period around the turn of the millennium, Fernando Morientes and Raul were one of Europe's most feared strike pairings, with their telepathic connection up front leading the Blancos into the 'Galactico Generation'.

Such was their close friendship, Raul was one of the witnesses at Morientes's wedding, while after Morientes was dropped for the 2002 European Super Cup following the arrival of Ronaldo, Raul wore his great friend's No.9 jersey as a show of solidarity.

Ian Rush & Kenny Dalglish (Liverpool)

Given his legendary status at Liverpool, it is hard to believe that Kenny Dalglish went on a 10-month scoring drought during 1981, with the Scot contemplating a move into midfield as he struggled for form in the aftermath of his 30th birthday.

That all changed when Ian Rush arrived on the scene, however, as Dalglish became more of a withdrawn forward in behind Rush, and the pair ran riot. Liverpool won the title in each of their first three campaigns together, with the deadly duo scoring 59 goals between them as the European Cup was also secured in 1983-84.

Wim Jonk & Dennis Bergkamp (Ajax & Netherlands)

It is clear that two players have a special connection when they are both bought by the same club at exactly the same time. That was the case for Wim Jonk and Dennis Bergkamp.

The pair impressed so much together at Ajax that Inter shelled out in excess of £7 million to bring them both to San Siro in 1994. They both struggled to adapt, however, though they did continue to combine well for the Dutch national team.

Mesut Ozil & Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Perhaps the best foil Cristiano Ronaldo has ever had at Real Madrid, Mesut Ozil created goal after goal for the Portuguese forward during their three years together at the Santiago Bernabeu before the Germany international left for Arsenal in 2013.

Indeed, the Germany international provided Ronaldo with 27 assists, with the pair proving integral to the Blancos winning La Liga in 2011-12 under Jose Mourinho.

Ruud Gullit & Marco van Basten (AC Milan & Netherlands)

Having impressed for the Dutch national team, Ruud Gullit and Marco Van Basten – along with compatriot Frank Rijkaard – were signed by AC Milan in 1987 and helped lead the Serie A outfit to an unprecedented period of success.

While at San Siro, the pair won three Scudetti and two European Cups, as well as leading the Oranje to the Euro 88 title, as they entered the 1990s as one of the best attacking duos in world football.

Marcelo Salas & Ivan Zamorano (Chile)

Such is the way of modern football, it is very rare nowadays to see two out-and-out No.9s partnered together up front. But, during the 1990s, Chile were able to fight above their weight due to the goalscoring exploits of Marcelo Salas and Ivan Zamorano.

Between them they scored 71 goals for their national team, though the relative lack of talent behind them stopped the duo from ever challenging for silverware.

Next Up:Revealed: Goal’s Team of the 2018 African Nations Championship